Countdown to MDSW

As you can see, I've changed the ticker at the top of my blog. With Maryland Sheep and Wool coming up in a little over a month, there is no way in hell that I am going to make it to the end of the year without buying yarn or fiber. So I'm just trying to be realistic.

I'll start the yarn diet again when I get back. ;o)

Happy Easter!!

Going to San Francisco, originally uploaded by Maria*PA.

Baxter wishes you a Happy Easter. Now go enjoy your pagan rituals.

It's been a while

Howdy. This week has gone by so quickly. I had off this week. The first few days were fun. I got to see friends, see my dad, see art, go downtown, all that good stuff. On Tuesday, the Banana commented that she had a stomachache. At about 9:30 that night, she barfed on the sofa, and so there went the rest of my spring break. Oh well. At least she is feeling better, that is by far the most important thing. And I'm also immensely grateful that we have a new washer and dryer - they were most certainly put to the test on Tuesday night, and I'm happy to say that they both passed with flying colors.

My knitting group's 3rd anniversary party was on Wednesday night, and a good time was had by all. We had brownies and cookies, door prizes, and a yarn and magazine swap. We laughed and had fun and helped each other with projects and relaxed. I do so enjoy those times together with that group of women.

Work continues on several projects. I was almost done the back of WT's vest, when I decided to hold it up to him, and lo and behold, I was knitting him a mini-dress. WT is not a mini-dress kind of guy, so I ripped way back to below the armholes and we shall try again.

I also picked up my Lacy Ribbed Bolero that I started last August. Liz finished hers in a flash, and so I decided to get going on mine for the 3rd time. It actually looks pretty good this time. I hope to finish it in the next week or so, I really have the lace pattern down.

I finished one Baby It's Cold Outside baby sweater for a friend, and need to finish the other one pronto, as Baby Miles has been born and is residing in NJ, sweaterless, as we speak. Gotta warm up that poor child, for crying out loud.

Dad made me yet another drop spindle, this one a top whorl. It's really cool. When I get it, I'll take pictures and post them. So in less than a month, Dad has made me two spindles and a niddy-noddy. And my neighbor Regina gave me a bag full of wool which I can wash and card myself! Laura Ingalls, watch out!

I am so frickin' tired I could put my head down on the keyboard and go to sleep right now. I also have a headache. I'm super fun, aren't it? I'm going to bed. Pictures later. Love youse guys.

I have the bestest Dad ever in the world!

Lookee what he made for me! It's a niddy noddy so I can skein the uber thick and thin yarn that I am spinning! Oh my gosh! It's so cool!

More pics and posts soon.

Squee! for new patterns

The Spring Knitty is up and running! Woo hoo!

It just keeps getting better and better

The spring preview of Interweave Crochet is up, and I must say that I love almost everything in it! Below are a few of my favorite projects.

30th Street Station Skirt by Kathy Merrick

Dots Blanket by Kristin Omdahl

Floral Lace Belt by Christina Marie Potter

Geometry Dress by Lily M. Chin

I would love to add more pictures, especially of Kathy Merrick's Kathryn in Beauly Dress and Hat, the Tolmie Cardi Vest by Monica Welle Brown, theTroubador Socks: Chrétien de Troyes by Danielle Kassner, and the Woodsland Tunic by Jill Hanratty, but of course Blogger is being pissy and only allowed me to show you the above projects.

Kim Werker has really done an outstanding job with this issue, and the designers are really going out on a creative limb (and very successfully, I might add). As usual, there are so many things I'd like to make, and so little time and resources to do so. Oh well, just gotta pick and choose. And I also need to finish the 10 projects that I currently have on the needles/hooks.

Only 3 more wake-ups until Spring Break!! Woo hoo!

Another something new!

Thanks to Carol, I see that we have a new online knitting magazine. Knotions is the work of SavannahChik, who has been knitting and blogging for quite some time now. The first issue will be coming out this fall, but in the mean time, go on over and take her survey. I already like the layout, and it seems that it will be a pretty comprehensive type of publication. Let's support SavannahChik in her endeavor!

In other news: spinning is going. I obviously need to practice. A lot. Right now, I am creating the world's thickest and thinnest yarn. Ever. But I am going to persevere, and dye it with Kool-Aid, and knit up the world's thickest and thinnest scarf when I am done spinning. The cats are not helping me spin - they like to eat the roving. Considering I already spent eight hundred gajillion dollars on Joey because he likes to eat non-food items, I will be keeping the roving well hidden. Pictures (of the yarn, not Joey) to follow shortly.

I am still working on the Peter Vest for WT, two BICOs (which I really need to finish, because their recipients should be entering the world at any moment now), and sundry other projects that have been in hibernation forever. I spent a good chunk of the day yesterday cleaning, so it is my fervent hope that I'll actually be able to knit and/or crochet today. We'll see. Banana will be attending her 9th birthday party since September today. This crap is expensive.

Later, gators!

It's very important to try on as you go

Doesn't this color suit me well? Obviously, I need to make it a shade longer, but with summer coming, well... maybe I'll just bind off now. I think it looks just adorable.

BTW, what do you guys think of my new hair color? I was sick of mousy brown and decided to go spicy!

I may have to subscribe to two more magazines

Honestly, if I'm going to spin, then obviously I should subscribe to Spin-Off. Right? Right? And if I'm going to learn to weave, then I should subscribe to Handwoven. Makes sense, doesn't it? I am a magazine addict. I can't remember the last time I read a whole book, cover to cover, in a reasonable amount of time. Magazines are perfect - short articles, pretty pictures, and all sorts of websites to look up!

It is my intent to keep Interweave Press going all by myself. I seem to be doing pretty well so far.

I should probably go work now. See ya.

What kind of sandwich are you?

You Are a Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich

You live your life in a free form, artistic style. You are incredibly creative and at times, quite messy. Deep down, you are a kid at heart. And you aren't afraid to express it. Your best friend: The Grilled Cheese Sandwich Your mortal enemy: The Club Sandwich

What Kind of Sandwich Are You?

Dad comes through!

As I knew he would. What a guy! He made me this wonderful little drop spindle. I can't wait to try it out. There is a great tutorial on YouTube by a woman named Abby Franquemont - she seems to explain the whole process rather clearly, so I need to watch it a few more times, and then give it a whirl (ha!).

So does buying roving break my yarn diet?